The White Sox have reached this point without leaning on a conventional split between starters and relievers, turning an unconventional pitching plan into the backbone of their run on the South Side.
A Different Pitching Script
Rather than following the usual starter-to-bullpen blueprint, Chicago has worked outside the standard rotation-and-relief structure. That approach has carried the club forward, but its next challenge will be the sternest examination yet of a staff built to operate differently.
The question now is whether the White Sox can keep making that unusual arrangement work when the pressure rises. The strategy has already delivered enough to bring them this far; the coming test will show how much further it can take them.
